Why did Ruger keep the half-cock loading on the New Bearcat?

[MatthewVanitas]

Greetings all. Just picked up my stainless New Bearcat today. I'm really looking forward to shooting it, as it's the bonniest little piece of gun. I have small paws, so it fits me well.

Here's my question: why did Ruger retain the half-cock loading feature on the New Bearcat? Every other piece they produce loads with the hamer down, just by flipping down the loading gate. On the Bearcat, you half-cock the hammer, open the gate, load, close gate, and manually decock.

I could see it if they'd kept the half-cock on the Vaquero, as a retro chic nod. But since the Bearcat has no immediate historical relative, and is presumably marketed as a family gun or woodsbumming gun, why keep this feature?

For a gun that is otherwise so easy for a new learner to use, why keep a feature that requires the nail-biting tension inherent in decocking? Having never had a gun whose hammer needed to be manually decocked, even I'm a little apprehensive about it.

So, what's with Ruger? Otherwise, cool little sixgun. -MV

 

[Cortland]

For a gun that is otherwise so easy for a new learner to use, why keep a feature that requires the nail-biting tension inherent in decocking? Having never had a gun whose hammer needed to be manually decocked, even I'm a little apprehensive about it.

Load five and put the hammer down on an empty chamber if it scares you that much.

 

[rockstar.esq]

I don't know if there is an answer to your question. All I can say is that Ruger's just one company that does it's own thing. They even made 10/22's with Manlicher stocks, however they simply can't seem to bring themselves to make a mag release that a grown man can operate!

 

[J Miller]

MatthewVanitas,

When Ruger discontinued the Old Model Blackhawks and the Bearcat in 1973 they had no intension of reintroducing the Bearcat as a New Model. I have a letter from Ruger stating the Bearcat would not be reintroduced.

In 82 Ruger began to retrofit the Old Models with the conversion action. This included the Bearcat.

I read an article some time ago in which I believe Bill Ruger stated that if the conversion action had been designed first, the New Models would never have been built.

So since Ruger was already retro fitting the Old Model Bearcats with the conversion action, they decided to resume production, using the conversion action.

That is why the Bearcat still has the half cock action. If it bothers you, please read the instructions, and practice loading and unloading the revolver with empty cases. It's easy and not dangerous at all. As long as you follow safety rules and the instruction manual.


Joe

 

[MatthewVanitas]

It's not so much that I'm concerned for my personal safety. I've been handling, dry firing, decocking, etc. the revolver since I bought it yesterday, and feel pretty solid on the process.

However, if I use this piece as an "intro gun" for a newbie, it just gives them one more thing to have to learn their first time out. And you must admit, thumb-decocking is pretty counterintuitive, in that it requires you to put you finger on the trigger with a round in the chamber, although you have no intention of firing. Yes, I know you point it in a safe direction first, and that you also need to be careful even when using an automatic decocker (like on an SA/DA pistol), but it still takes some getting used to when you're accustomed to Ruger's other SA revos.

Not much to be done about it, just wish the Bearcat was a little more Single Six-like in handling.

Mr Miller: your response perfectly answered my question. Much appreciated.

Thanks all, -MV

 

[fallingblock]

It's actually considered an advantage by some....

Especially if one is prone to turn the cylinder past the case to be ejected on a "New Model" Single-Six.

Once the trigger is released, the transfer bar drops down, making it impossible for the hammer to hit the firing pin.

I find it helpful with a "newbie" to ask them to put their finger outside the guard after releasing the hammer from the loading notch.

 

[J Miller]

MV,
Your welcome.

........but it still takes some getting used to when you're accustomed to Ruger's other SA revos.

And that is exactly why I don't like the New Model Ruger SAs, or the Winchesters with the rebounding hammer actions. When a new shooter learns on them, then picks up an Old Model or old version, he is an accident waiting to happen.

fallingblock,

I find it helpful with a "newbie" to ask them to put their finger outside the guard after releasing the hammer from the loading notch.

The only problem is, this works only on New Model Rugers, but it will not work on the old styles.
To properly load and unload them you must keep the trigger pulled till the hammer is down.

Just for those that don't know. To properly load an OLD STYLE single action revolver, (This includes all unconverted Old Model Rugers, Colts, Colt copies, Remington originals and copies, Great Westerns, Interarms Virginion Dragoons, and many others):
>Pull hammer to half cock.
>Open loading gate.
>Rotate cylinder to load or unload; LOAD one (1), SKIP one (1), LOAD four (4).
>Close loading gate
>Leaving the cylinder in this position, in other words do not turn it, pull the hammer all the way back to full cock and then with your thumb holding the hammer back, pull the trigger and gently lower the hammer to rest.
The hammer will then be resting over an empty chamber.

To demonstrate this for those not familiar with how to handle the old type SA revolvers, I will follow the above directions and then point the gun at a target and pull the trigger. IF I followed the directions all you will hear is a dull thwack. If it fires, I did something wrong. Most of the time the neophytes jump out of their boots when the hammer goes thwack.

To load or unload a New Model Ruger:
>Flip open the loading gate.
>Load or unload the cylinder.
>Gently hold the cylinder back against the pawl (hand) and close the loading gate.
Holding the cylinder against the pawl greatly reduces the drag marks caused by the cylinder latch.

To load or unload a New Model Bearcat or a converted Old Model Ruger SA:
>Pull hammer to half cock.
>Open loading gate.
(If you want to load five:)
>Rotate cylinder to load or unload; LOAD one (1), SKIP one (1), LOAD four (4).
>Close loading gate
>Leaving the cylinder in this position, in other words do not turn it, pull the hammer all the way back to full cock and then with your thumb holding the hammer back, pull the trigger and gently lower the hammer to rest.
The hammer will then be resting over an empty chamber.
(If you want to load six:)
>Rotate cylinder to load or unload.
>Pull the hammer all the way back to full cock and then with your thumb holding the hammer back, pull the trigger and gently lower the hammer to rest. After the hammer passes the half cock notch you can release the trigger and the transfer bar will drop away from the firing pin.


Joe

 

[fallingblock]

Sorry, Joe, maybe I'm not being clear enough.....

Quote:
"I find it helpful with a "newbie" to ask them to put their finger outside the guard after releasing the hammer from the loading notch."
*********************************************************
The only problem is, this works only on New Model Rugers, but it will not work on the old styles.
To properly load and unload them you must keep the trigger pulled till the hammer is down.
*********************************************************

The "New Bearcat" is not a "new model" - it is the conversion unit.
I was referring only to the "New Bearcat" when I suggested the newbie removing their finger from the trigger after disengaging the loading notch.

I have a New Bearcat here with me and I can easily raise the hammer off the loading notch, depress the trigger and REMOVE my finger from the trigger, thus lowering the hammer without the transfer bar being able to contact the firing pin.
On the "New Bearcat", one does NOT have to bring the hammer to full cock to lower it from the loading notch.

If you're fussy, you can then rotate the cylinder clockwise by hand to lock, but cocking the hammer to fire will do this for you.

If you wanna go teaching a newbie to "load one, skip one, load four" etc, that's up to you.....
but with the New Bearcat this serves no purpose except to complicate the process.

I'd save that for lesson II:
"History of the Single Action"

 

[Jim K]

Ruger at one time stated that they could use the same system on the Bearcat as on their other SA revolvers because of the small size of the frame. I haven't checked but see no reason to doubt that.

Jim